Santa Ana : Man Held After Attack on Priest in Rectory

A priest at St. Ann’s Church was punched in the chest and knocked down in his rectory Sunday by a man suspected of trying to steal proceeds from the church’s collection plate, police said.

Msgr. John Campbell, 58, of Santa Ana was not injured in the incident, according to Santa Ana Police Lt. Jack Nelson.

Booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted burglary was Samuel V. Zamora, 29, of Ontario, Nelson said.

According to police, Zamora walked into the rectory of the church, located at 109 W. Borchard St., about 11 a.m. and asked to see a priest. After being told to wait in the lobby, he slipped past the receptionist when she became occupied and opened a door into a private area within the church.

Nelson said Zamora was confronted at the top of a stairway by Campbell and another priest and escorted back to the reception area.

When one of the priests requested that police be called, Zamora slugged Campbell, Nelson said.

Zamora fled on foot, but was captured later with the help of two police canine units, according to Nelson, who added that the suspect was treated for dog bites at the jail.